Frequency converter control



Nov. 25, 1952 J. R. PARSONS 2,619,625

FREQUENCY CONVERTER CONTROL Filed July 1, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 E gf-L.

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. mg? 98 E t 1 N Q Q F1 51% 1- q E Q LL ":TYB -l WITNESSES: INVENTOR %%2 John R. Parsons.

OD Z' W ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1952 J. R. PARSONS 2,619,625

FREQUENCY CONVERTER CONTROL Filed July 1, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E Frequency Determining C|rcu|t ITNESSES: I INVENTOR a John R. Parsons.

ATTORNEY Q 1 J. R. PARSONS 2, 9,

FREQUENCY CONVERTER CONTROL John R. Parsons. yaw f W NO'V- ,9 J. R. PARSONS 2,619,625

FREQUENCY CONVERTER CONTROL Filed July 1, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 5.

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Fig. 6.

E 2 S o Time-- WITNESSES:

INVENTOR I John R. Parsons.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 25, 195.?

UNITED STATES i ATENT OFFICE FREQUENGY CGNVERTER CONTROL John R. Parsons, Kenmore, N. 21.,

assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania 18 Claims. I

My invention relates to electric discharge apparatus and it has particular relation to resist ance welding apparatus. The invention is an outgrowth of my experience with low frequency welding apparatus of the type disclosed in the following application, which is assigned to the Westinghouse Electric Corporation:

O. B. Stadum and .T. R. Parsons- E. C. Hartwig and J. R.Parso'1s. C. B. Stadum l. R. Parsons September 30, 1948. September 30, 1948. April 15, 1949. April 15, 194s.

The above-listed applications relate to welding systems in which power is derived from an alternating current commercial supply and supplied to a load such as a welding transformer at a substantially lower frequency than that of the supply. The supply may be of the single-phase or polyphase type. The conversion from the commercial frequency to the lower frequency is effected by operation of electric discharge valves, usually ignitrons, interposed between the supply buses and the primary of the welding transformer. Preferably, the ignitrons are subdivided into pairs, each pair being connected in antiparallel to a section of the primary of the welding transformer and each section and its associated pairs being connected across a pair of buses of the supply. The individual ignitrons of the pairs are so controlled that first current of one polarity is built up in the welding transformer and permitted to decay, and immediately thereafter current of the opposite polarity is built up and permitted to decay. The ignitrons of each pair which conduct the current of each polarity I will designate a group.

In operating apparatus of the type shown in applications, Serial Nos. 18,699, 52,103, 52,104 and 52,105, I have found that it is on the whole satisfactory. I have, however, encountered situations in which certain of the ignitrons have a relatively short life in operation. In such situations the ignitrons are severely damaged after the apparatus is operated for only a short time; sometimes the damage is so severe that the ignitrons must be replaced. In addition the load may also be damaged. In particular, I have found that such difficulties arise when the apparatus is operated with a load having a low power factor such as arises when the welding electrodes are shortcircuited for test purposes, and when the appa- 2 ratus constitutes a substantial drain on the power supply from which it is energized.

In operation of the systems disclosed in the above-listed applications, one ignitron of each pair of anti-parallel connected ignitrons, that is of each group, is rendered conductive when the bus to which its anode is connected becomes positive relative to the other buses, and conducts in its turn during a low frequency half period until the current built up in the load has the desired low frequency amplitude. The last ignitron of the group to conduct carries the maximum current. When this current is reached, the first ignitron of the conducting group is not again fired. As the current decays in the load, the last ignitron of the group continues to conduct. The current during the low frequency half period of the opposite polarity is now to be conducted by the other ignitrons of each pair. Each of the latter is rendered conductive in its turn, as the bus to which its anode is connected becomes more positive than the other buses of the supply. I have found that the damage to the ignitrons arises from the fact that when the first of the ignitrons which conducts the current of the reverse polarity is rendered conductive, the last of the ignitrons which conducts the current of the initial polarity is still conductive. The current conducted by the first ignitron to conduct the reverse current induces potential in the winding supplied from the last ignitron to conduct the current of the initial polarity in such a sense as to build up the decaying conductivity of this last ignitron. The latter, therefore, conducts for an excessively long interval. In addition the current supplied to its corresponding winding through the first ignitron of the new group is returned to the supply through the last ignitron of the old group. A short circuit is thus in effect produced. Because the last ignitron of the old group conducts for an excessively long interval under short circuit conditions it soon becomeshot, fails to deionize and carries current of both polarities continuously. The same condition arises as the last ignitron to conduct the reverse current continues conductive after the first ignitron to conduct the current of the initial polarity is rendered conductive during the succeeding low frequency half period. This phenomenon is more common at low power factors than at high power factors, and is particularly marked when the apparatus is operated with the welding electrodes short-circuited for test purposes.

In the prior art of which I am aware, various solutions to this problem have been proposed.

For example, one proposal provides a relay system for interlocking the low frequency determining impulse timer with the load current circuit, so that a low frequency impulse time cannot start until the load current in the low frequency half cycle immediately preceding has decayed to zero. While this proposal does avoid damage to the discharge devices due to the phenomenon discussed above, so long as the relays function properly it has the disadvantage of not being positive in its operation. This is particularly true in welding applications, where the discharge devices are in series with the primary windings of the welding transformer. The load current is allowed to decay to zero as it will, making it uncertain which discharge device in the next low frequency period will fire first and when in its half cycle it will fire. Such uncertainty will result in different degrees of load current build-up for succeeding low frequency half cycles. Consequently, over a period of time, the total load current passed through the transformer windings on low frequency half cycles of one polarity will exceed the total load current passed through the transformer windings on low frequency half cycles of the opposite polarity, and this condition will tend to saturate the welding transformer. With such systems, it has been the practice to hedge the problem of saturation by the provision of a large welding transformer, which is heavy, bulky, and costly.

In the above described apparatus the last tube in each group is permit to conduct so long as the back electromotive force generated by the load is sufficient to cause current to flow through it. The back electromotive force decreases as this conduction continues, it is not positively decreased. The last tube of each group may therefore conduct during substantially longer intervals than the other tubes. This excessive condutivity may substantially shorten the lives of the last tubes.

In my application 87,714, I provide means to prevent rapid build-up of the load current, so that load current decay time is diminished to a reasonable value. With this system, the load current ordinarily will decay to zero in each low frequency half cycle in'tirne for the proper discharge device on the opposite low frequency half cycle to fire consistently at the same time in its half cycle. Therefore, ordinarily there is no damage to the discharge devices due to the phenomenon previously discussed and the same total load, current is passed through the welding transformer primary windings for opposite low frequency half cycles. Consequently, a relatively small and less costly transformer may be used with little danger of saturation. I have found that the system disclosed in my application Serial No. 87,714 is on the whole satisfactory. While'it represents an important improvement over the prior art of which I am aware, yet its operation is not positive.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide in a low fre uency welding system of the electronic type in which the electronic discharge devices through which the load current is supplied shall operate without becoming seriously impaired in ashort time.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a welding apparatus of the electronic type in which the load current is conducted through electric discharge devices, positive means to prevent serious damage to the said electric discharge devices.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a welding apparatus of the electronic type in which the load current is conducted through electric discharge devices, positive means to prevent serious damage to the said electric discharge devices and at the same time avoid a tendency toward saturation of the welding transformer.

A further object of my invention is to provide a welding apparatus of the electronic type in which the load current is conducted by electric discharge devices wherein the tendency toward saturation of the welding transformer due to the passage of more load current on cycles of the opposite polarity is positively prevented.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an electronic control system for converting power derived from a commercial supply to a substantially lower frequency to be supplied to a load such as a welding transformer which shall operate over long periods of time Without serious impairment to the electric discharge valves which conduct the load current. V

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electronic converter for deriving power from an alternating supply at a substantially lower frequency than the supply which shall operate without damage to the load.

An ancillary object of my invention is to provide an electronic control system in apparatus for deriving power from an alternating source and converting it to power of a frequency substantially lower than that of the alternating source, which shall include an electronic means to interlock the low frequency cycle of one polarity with the low frequency cycle of the opposite polarity.

Another ancillary object of my invention is to provide a novel control circuit for controlling the firing of the main discharge valves in systems such as are shown in the above-listed applications.

A further ancillary object of my invention is to provide a converter, in which individual tubes of groups of tubes are fired in sequence during successive predetermined time intervals, in the operation of which (converter) the time during which the last valves of each group conducts shall be minimized.

In accordance with my invention the first electric discharge device of a group which fires successively to conduct during a low frequency half period of one polarity is also fired late in its corresponding half period of the supply immediately following the firing of the last electric discharge device of the group to be fired in the said low frequency half period. The current flow in said electric discharge device is then of a polarity which will cause rapid decay of the load current. Then the electric discharge device which is connected inversely in parallel with said first electric discharge device, may be fired consistently at a particular time in the half period of its phase which immediately follows that in which said first discharge device was fired.

The said first discharge device of the first group conducts current through the load in such a sense as to extinguish the last discharge device of the firstg-roup and continues to conduct so long as the counterelectromotive force built up by the decay of flux in the load forces current through it. Since the first discharge device of the second group is connected directly in antiparallel to this first device of the first group it cannot fire while the first discharge device of the first group is conducting. There is then a direct positive electronic interlock between low frequency half periods of opposite polarity so that one cannot start until a preceding one is complete. Further in welding applications, the rapid decay of load current allows the firing of the groups of electric discharge devices in a manner such that the total load current of one polarity which is passed through the primary of the welding transformer is equal to the total load current of the other polarity, and there is no tendency to saturate the welding transformer.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be unde stood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and together constitute a circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of invention;

Fig. 2 is a graph illustrating the operation of the prior art apparatus;

Figs. 3 and 4 are graphs illustrting the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 1A;

Fig. 5 is an actual osoillogram of the current wave of prior art apparatus in operation; and

Fig. 5 is an actual oscillogram of the current wave of apparatus according to my invention in operation.

For a proper understanding of my invention, it is desirable that the operation of the apparatus shown in any of the above-listed applications be understood. To facilitate the explanation of my invention, I shall, accordingly, briefiy discuss the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of application Serial No. 52,103.

Figs. 1 and 2 are of particular interest and these figures are the same as Figs. 1 and 1A of the present application as to structure and labeling of components except that Figs. 1 and 2 do not include he th ratrons 'ECT and SCT and their associated circuits. Th structure and operation of the apparatus sh in in application Serial No. 52,193, may, therefore, understood 1A of the present application modn sc 'ibed above.

This apparatus inclu- =s a welding having three primary windings i l, 52 The primaries are supplied from the bus L2, L3 of a three-n "'c source through three pairs of ignitrons, iii 1, TU, 3TU, iTU, and GTU each connected in anti-parallel. The buses Ll, L2, L3 are customarily the buses of a commercial alternating current supply which in the United States has a frequency of cycles and in other countries have different frequency, such as 59 cycles, for example. Power is supplied to the primanes ii, i2 and i3 in sequence, first in one direction during one low frequency half period through ignitrons iTU, STU and STU constituting one group, and then during the succeeding low frequency half period in the opposite direction through ignitrons ZTU, QTU and BTU constituting another group. When ignitrons iTU, STU and 5TU are conductive, current flows from right to left through each of the primaries Ii, 52 and i3, and when ignitrons BTU, iTU and iiTU are conductive, current flows from left to right. Each of the ignitrons becomes conductive when the bus to which its anode is connected is positive relative to the other buses and the proper control potential to fire its firing thyratron is impressed. The instant when an ignitron becomes conductive is determined by the setting of the taps 44 on the rheostat 3G. The ignitrons I TU, STU and ETU, or 2TU, 4TU and GTU, respectively, conduct in their turn during a predetermined number of successive periods of the supply which is determined by the low frequency is desired. For example, We may assume that each of the ignitrons conducts twice during each low frequency half period of the supply. Under such circumstances the low frequency is of the order of 12 cycles per second.

The apparatus described, on the whole, operates satisfactorily; but at low power factors the last of each of the ignitrons to conduct, that is, the ignitrons BTU and BTU may continue to conduct indefinitely. This operation is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the present application. In this view, the current built up in the weldin transformer T is plotted as a function of time. Current is plotted vertically and timev horizontally. To facilitate understanding equally spaced abscissae, corresponding to instants when successive ignitrons become conductive, are labeled in terms of twelfths of periods of the supply. Each of the loops represents an interval during which one of the ignitrons of a group is conductive and is labeled accordingly.

During the first low frequency half period, each of the ignitrons iTU, STU and 5TU is conductive twice. During the f; of a supply period, ignitron iTU conducts current from right to left through winding H. During this interval bus L! is positive relative to the other buses. At the end of the interval bus L2 becomes positive with respect to Ll but ignitron ITU continues to conduct because of the back potential provided by the winding H. Now while ignitron ITU is still conductive, ignitron STU is rendered conductive and current flows from right to left through winding 12. Thus current flow induces a potential across winding H which is so poled as to cause its right-hand terminal to become substantially positive with respect to its left-hand terminal. Ignitron ITU is therefore extinguished. In the same manner as represented by their corresponding loops, ignitrons ETU, ITU, STU and STU are each in its term rendered conductive extinguishing the previously conductive ignitron. When ignitron ETU is conductive for the second time, the ignitron lTU is not again rendered conductive. The current fiow through ignitron 5TU and its associated winding I3 then decays as shown by the sixth loop STU of the left-hand half wave of the curve. At this time the potential of the anode of ignitron 5TU is equal to the potential of bus L3, and the potential of its cathode is equal to the potential of bus Li less the counteracting potential produced by winding I3. As the current flow through the ignitron STU is decaying, the potential of bus Ll is becoming more positive than the potential of bus L3 and this inverse difference of potential tends to extinguish ignitron 5TU. The ignitron STU is thus maintained conductive by the back electrornotive force produced by the decay of flux in the transformer T, which is manifested as a potential across primary 13 in such a sense that the left-hand terminal of this primary is positive and the right hand terminal is negative. If the current flow through ignitron STU would be permitted to decay uninterruptedly, this potential across primary i3 eventually would become smaller than the negative potential between buses 7 Li and L3, and the ignitron TU would become non-conductive.

However, i of a period after ignitron STU was rendered conductive, ignitron ZTU is rendered conductive as represented by the first loop ET'U of the right half wave. As represented by the overlapping portion of the curve, the ignitron ZTU sometimes becomes conductive before the conductivity of ignitron ETU is interrupted. This condition occurs particularly when the power factor of the load is low-of the order of 20% when calculated on the basis of Gil-cycle supply. Ignitron 2TU conducts current from left to right through the primary H and induces a potential in primary l3 which increases the positive potential of its left terminal relative to its right terminal. This potential adds to the potential arising from the decaying flux and tends to maintain ignitron 5TU conductive as represented by the rising tail R on the positive curve. Power derived from the supply through ignitron QTU between positive bus L2 and negative bus L3 is returned to the supply through ignitron STU between negative bus L3 and positive bus Ll. In effect the supply is thus short circuited. The potential induced from primary 5 I increases as represented by the first negative loop until ignitron GTU becomes conductive when current flows from left to right through primary l2 as represented by the second negative loop. Again, a potential tending to maintain ignitron STU conductive, is induced and the latter, if it is still conductive, continues to conduct. Eventually, ignitron GTU is rendered conductive as represented by the third negative loop and ignitron ETU, if it is still conductive, is extinguished. However, ignitron ETU has conducted for an excessively long interval under short-circuit conditions and eventually becomes so hot as to conduct continuously as the above-described process is repeated during successive welds. The short-circuit operation also materially deteriorates the transformer T. The above-described operation also occurs when ignitron 6TU fails to become nonconductive before ignitron iTU becomes conductive.

In the apparatus actually shown in Figs. 1 and 1A, the reference numerals Ll, L2 and L3 identify the lines of a three phase power source, the separate phases of which supply power to ignitrons ITU and ZTU, 3TU and GTU, STU and STU, arranged in back to back pairs, one pair across each phase of the source, and each pair supplying power to a separate one of primary windings ll, l2, [3 of a transformer T, the single secondary winding i4 of which supplies power to a welding load L.

Each of the ignitrons lTU to STU, inclusive, is controlled by a thyratron firing tube, the respective thyratron firing tubes, identified by the designations lFT through EFT, being connected each in series between the anode and the igniting rod of an associated ignitron, so that firing of any thyratron initiates firing of the associated ignitron.

The control electrodes I5 of the firing tubes EF'I' through EFT are normally maintained biased back beyond the critical potential at which firing of the thyratrons may take place, by means of a D. C. voltage established at each of the firing tubes across a condenser l6. Direct current voltage is established across each of the condensers It by rectifying a voltage derived across the lines Ll, L3, and applied via lines 6 to the primaries I? of the transformers 18, having secondaries I9 connected in series with the condensers it via rectifying unit 28. Firing pulses are supplied to the firing tubes IFT, EFT and EFT via lines 2!, 22 and 23 respectively, and to firing tubes ZFT, err and EFT via lines 24, 25, 28 respectively, the firing tubes, in the absence of firing pulses supplied over the appropriate ones of lines 2i through 26, inclusive, being cut off, thereby cutting off the associated ignitrons ETU through BTU, and preventing transfer of current to the welding load L.

It will be clear, then, that any one of thyratrons iFT through EFT, inclusive, and hence any one of ignitrons lTU through ETU, inclusive, may be caused to fire by transferring an appropriate firing pulse of suitable polarity and magnitude, over the appropriate one of lines 2! through 25, inclusive, while the anode of the ignitron is positively polarized. The firing of any one of ignitrons iTU, STU, STU will transfer to the load L a current of one polarity, which may for purposes of convenience in explaining the present invention be denominated positive, and transfer of current via any one of ignitrons ZTU, iTU, {STU will correspondingly cause fiow of current in the load L in a direction opposite to the positive direction, and which may, therefore, denominated negative.

Alternating current anode potential for the control tubes ICT through BCT is supplied over the three phase line Ll, L2 and L3 via a transformer T2 having one primary winding as connected between lines LI and L2, a second primary winding 3i connected between lines L2 and L3 and a third primary winding 32 connected between lines L! and L3. The primaries of the transformer T2 accordingly are connected in delta with the three phase line Ll, L2, L3. The secondary windings of the transformer T2, identified respectively by the numerals 33, and 35, which are associated in the order named with the primaries 33, Si, and 32,. respectively, are likewise connected in delta. Across the secondaries 33, 3 3 and 35 is a phase shift device generally denominated by the reference numeral 35, and which consists of three mechanically ganged potcntiometers 37, 3S and "it connected in delta with respect to the secondary windings 33, 3G and 35 of the transformer T2. Connected across the potentiometers 3?, S8 and 39 are three resistances 4G, '3! and Q2, which are connected in Y, thereby establishing a neutral point 43 for the three phase system. The phase of the potentials established across the resistances til, s: and 42 with respect to the neutral point 53 may be varied by varying the movable contacts 44 of the potentiometers 3i, 3% and 39 since the junction points between the potentiometers Si, 38 and 33 are connected to mid-points i5 of the secondary windings 33, 34 and 35 respectively of the transformer T2.

Three lines (i6, '2? and 48 emanate from the variable taps es of the potentiometers 3?, 38 and 3%. The voltages on the lines 45, 4? and 48 are mutually displaced by a phase angle of since these voltages originate in the three phase lines Ll, L2 and L3, and the potentials on the lines 45, 41 and as assume their positive maxima in succession, in the order in which the lines have been named. The phases of the voltages in the lines as, 4'! and G3 with respect to the voltages in the power lines Li, L2 and L3 may be shifted by shifting the contacts as, these contacts being ganged to assure that any variation of phase which is introduced into one of the lines es, 4'!

9 and 48 is likewise introduced into the remaining ones of these lines.

The line it supplies anode potential to the control tube ICT via the primary winding d of a control transformer IT having two secondary windings EI and 552. The line All likewise leads to the anode of the control tube BOT via the primary windin 53 of a control transformer 3T having two secondaries 5t and 55. Line 68 supplies anode potential to the control tube ECT via the primary winding 5% of a control transformer 5T, having two secondaries 5i and H5. While the tubes i CT, EST and ECT are supplied with anode potential continuously, in phases which lag in succeeding ones of the tubes by 120, the tubes are normally cut on, and prevented from firing, by means of a bias potential applied to the control electrodes thereof from a rectifier unit RX, to which is applied alternating current deriving across lines Ll, Lt via a primary Winding (it of a transformer 55 havin a secondary winding 52. The secondary winding 62 of transformer El is connected across two diagonally opposite terminals of the rectifier unit RX, and applied across a pair of series connected resistors 33, E i across which is shunted a smoothing condenser 65. The mid-point of the resistors 63, I54 is connected with the control electrodes of the control tubes ICT, SCT, SOT, in parallel, and the remaining terminal of the resistance E3 is connected with the cathodes of the control tubes iCT, 3CT, 5C1, in parallel. Potential developed across the resistance $3 is utilized to establish a negative potential on the control grids of the tubes ICT, SGT and liCT, which, in well known manner, prevents these tubes from firing regardless of the potentials which may be impressed on the anodes of the tubes.

Firing potential is applied to the control tubes lCT, 3ST and ECT in a manner now to be described. Considering first the tube lCT, firing potential is applied to this tube over a pair of lines 66 in the form of a pulse. This pulse is derived from a sequence timer and frequency determining circuit 58 such as is shown in detail in Fig. 3 of application 52,103. The lines E5 of the system shown in Fig. 1A of the present application are identical to the lines 56 of Fig. 3 of application 52,103.

The occurrence oi a firing pulse on the line 66 initiates a cycle of operation of the control tubes ICT, ECT and E501, and consequently, as will be hereinafter described, of the ignitrons iTU, STU and STU. Occurrence of a pulse on the line 66, accordingly, signals initiation of a welding cycle. The pulse applied on the line 6% is applied to the primary 6! of a transformer IF, having a secondary winding 63 which is connected with the control electrode of the control tube ECT via rectifying unit 69, there being connected across the secondary winding '68 and the rectifying unit 939, taken in series, a parallel combination of resistance ii and condenser Ill. The rectifier unit 69 rectifies the pulse supplied via the transformer EF charging the condenser iii in such sense as to render the control electrode of the control tube iCT positive to an extent sufiicient to establish ionization of the gas in the tube ICT and consequently firing of the latter when the anode of the control tube i'CT goes positive. The time constant of the combination of condenser lii and resistance H is sufiiciently short to allow rap-id decay of the charge of the condenser it after initiation of firing of the tube iCT. The timing of the firing pulse established on the control electrode of the tube iCT is synchronized in respect to the anode potential applied to the same tube, since the control pulse applied to the tube ICT is derived from the same phase of the lines Li, L2, L3 as is the anode potential for the tube MIT. The relative phase of the firing pulse applied to the control electrode of the control tube ICT with respect to the anode potential applied to the tube ICT is, of course, variable since the firing pulse occurs at a fixed time with respect to the voltage established on the supply lines L5, L2 and L3, while the anode potential applied to the control tube iCT is applied to the latter via a phase shifting network the latter being advanced by a variable time with respect to the timin of the firing pulse.

Firing of the tube i CT establishes a pulse of current in the primary winding 5! of the transformer IT, this pulse being transferred, first, via the secondary 53 of the transformer IT to the grid pulsing circuit E2 of the control tube 3ST, which is in all respect identical with the grid pulsing circuit illustrated in conjunction with the tube ICT, the operation of which has been described hereinbefore. The pulse applied via the secondary winding 5i accordingly is rectified and applied to the control electrode of the control tube BCT, permitting that tube to fire when its anode potential becomes positive. Anode poten tial for the tube SOT is supplied thereto over the line i! and the primary winding of the transformer 3T.

Accordingly, the control tube SGT will conduct current at a time following the firing of the tube iCT, this time being established by the time of application of positive potential to the anode of the control tube ECT. Firing of the tube SOT establishes a pulse of current in the primary winding 53 of the transformer 3T, which is transferred via the secondary winding 54 of the transformer 3T to pulsing circuit 13 of the control electrode of the control tube 5ST, the latter pulsing circuit again being identical with the pulsing circuit 72 and establishing a pulse voltage for application to the control electrode of the control tube SCT.

Application of positive control pulse to the control electrode of the control tube 5C1 establishes current flow in the latter when the anode potential of the latter becomes positive, anode potential being applied to the control tube SGT via the line 33 and the primary winding 56 of the trans former ST. The pulse of current established in the primary winding is not re-transf erred back to the first one of the control tubes, CT, but the sequential operation of the control tubes ECT, SGT, and SCT now terminates, unless a further control pulse is applied to the primary winding Bi, and the transformer IF, via the line 66. Should such a further control pulse be established a further firing sequence will occur, the tubes ICT, SOT and SC'I firing sequence in a further cycle of operation, duplicating the sequence of operations above described.

Associated with the primary winding 53 of the transformer IT is a secondary winding 52 which is connected via the lead 2| with the control electrode and cathode of firing tube {FT which determines the time of firing of the ignitron ITU, establishing firing potential on the control electrode of the tube IFT at a proper time to enable firing of the tn 1 be, that is, while the anode of the tube IFT is positive. Firing of the tube IFT establishes a pulse of current through the ii ignitor electrode of the ignitron ETU, which establishes firing of the ignitron ETU, enabling transfer of a pulse of current to the welding load L via the primary winding H and the secondary winding 4 of the transformer T.

When the control tube 3LT fires, likewise, the pulse of current in the primary winding 53 of the transformer 3T transfers voltage to the secondary winding 55 of the transformer 3T, the pulse of voltage being applied via the line 22 to the control electrode of the firing tube EFT, which in turn establishes a firing time for the ignitron ETU, and consequently a positive pulse of current in the welding load L, via the primary winding [2 of the transformer T, and the secondary winding id of the latter.

Firing of the control tube 5ST likewise establishes a pulse in the primary winding of the transformer 5T, which is translated into a voltage pulse in the secondary winding 5i of the latter, this voltage pulse being transferred via the line 23 to the control electrode of the firing tube EFT, which thereupon fires and establishes firing of the ignitron ETU. The latter, in turn, transfers a positive pulse to the welding load L via the primary winding 53 of the transformer T, and the secondary winding i i thereof.

In summary then, each transfer of a pulse to the line 56 establishes a sequential operation of the control tubes iCT, SCT and SGT, the latter providing control pulses in sequence to the firing tubes iF, 3FT and EFT, which cause firing of the ignitrons iTU, STU and STU, in sequence, and with phase separation of 120, thereby to establish a positive pulse in the welding load for a time equal to 360 of the supply frequency. The system then requires and enforces firing of the ignitrons iTU, 3TU and STU in groups of three, in response to the application of a single control pulse on the line 66, and the firing sequence of the ignitrons ITU, STU and ETU cannot be interrupted or disestablished, once it has been initiated, until all three ignitrons have been fired. One or more sequences of operation may be initiated in like manner by application of succeeding control pulses to the line 66, and interruption of welding current may be accomplished at any time after completion of a complete firing sequence of the ignitrons iTU, BTU, STU, by failure to supply a control pulse to the line 65.

The control tubes 253T, iCT and ECT operate in a manner entirely similar to that described above as applying to the control tubes ECT, ECT and ECT, initiation of firing of the tubes ZCT taking place in response to application of a control pulse to the lines 8%. The lines 8c of Fig. 1A are identical to the lines 80 of Fig. 3 of application 52,103. This pulse establishes a firing control voltage in the control electrode circuit 8! of the control tube ZCT, to which is normally applied a negative oif-biasing potential established across the resistance 32 by rectification in the rectifier unit 83 of alternating current supplied over the line 8 3 from the secondary winding 85 of a transformer as having a primary winding 87. The transformers 83 and 8% are utilized to establish, in a like manner, off biasing potentials for the control electrodes of the control tubes GCT and BUT, the control tube GOT including in its grid circuit a resistor d9 connected in series with rectifier unit Qi and with the secondary winding of the transformer 38, and the control electrode of the control tube ECT containing in circuit a bias resistance 82 connected in series T2 with a rectifier unit 93 and with the secondary winding of the transformer 8%.

Connected in series with the cathode circuit of the control tube 2CT is a primary winding 95 of a transformer ET, the latter having a secondary winding 25 which is connected with the control electrode circuit of the control tube iCT by means of a pulse rectifying circuit 9%, which is identical with the pulse rectifying circuit associated with the control tube iCT, and with the pulse rectifying circuit associated with the control circuit associated with the tube ZCT, and which has been described in detail hereinbefore. Accordingly, firing of the tube ZCT is followed by firing of the tube @CT, upon establishment thereat of a suitable positive anode potential. There is likewise connected in the cathode circuit of the tube lCT primary winding 9? of a transformer iT, the secondary winding 98 of which is applied to the input circuit 99 of the control tube ECT, the latter being identical with the control circuits and Si associated with the control tubes tCT and ZCT, respectively. Accordingly, firing of the tube iCT is accompanied by application of a firing pulse to tube ECT, which fires when the anode potential thereof attains a suitable positive value.

Firing of the control tube 8ST terminates the firing cycle of the tubes 201, 01 and 601 unless a further control pulse is applied over the line 8:) to the input transformer 2F of the control tube ZCT.

Included in the transformer ET is a secondary winding Hie which, in response to a current pulse in the primary winding 92 of the transformer 2T, translates a voltage pulse via the line 24 to the firing tube 2FT associated with the ignitron ZTU, establishing a firing time for the latter upon firing of the firing tube ZFT.

Associated with the transformer 6T, which is connected in the cathode circuit of the control tube 4CT is a secondary winding it i which transfers a voltage pulse via the line 25 to the circuit of the control electrode of the firing tube lFT, which fires in response to the voltage pulse, and in firing causes firing of the ignitron TU. Similarly, a secondary winding IE5 is magnetically coupled with the primary winding of the transformer 8T, which is connected in series with the cathode circuit of the control tube GCT, so that firing of the control tube ECT accomplishes transfer of a voltage pulse via the line 26 to the firing tube GSFT, which breaks down in response to a control pulse established on the line 863, the control tubes ZCT, iCT and SGT break down in sequence, transferring firing pulses to the firing tubes ZFT, iFT and EFT in sequence, and these latter, in firing, accomplish firing of the associated ignitrons ZTU, :iTU and BTU in similar sequence, applying overlapping negative pulses of potential to the negative load L via the primary windings l 5, l2 and ii of the welding transformer T. The ignitrons 2T1], iTU and BTU accordingly fire in sequence, in groups of three, in response to a single control pulse applied to the leads Bil, and successive firing sequences take place only in response to successive applications of pulses to the line 89, firing terminating after firing of the tube STU, unless a further firing sequence is initiated.

The circuits of Figs. 1 and 1A as thus far described are similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of application Serial No. 52,103. The results of operation of such a circuit have been previously described in connection with Fig. 2.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a pair of auxiliary control circuits which I designate generally at [M and let. These circuits are, except for their external connections, similar to control circuits previously described, for example, those associated with control tubes ECT and fiCT. Auxiliary control tubes 'ICT and ECT are connected to be associated with ignitrons ITU, and ZTU respectively. Each auxiliary control tube has a bias hold off circuit indicated generally at 39, lid, supplied from lines 84 through transformers H1, H2 and a pulse rectifying circuit indicated generally at H3, H4, respectively. Anode voltage is supplied to the tubes 'ICT and (iCT from a mid-tap connection on the L2 side of the secondary 3d of the anode voltage supply transformer T2 whose primary 3| is connected across L2 and L3. Pulses derived from secondaries H5, H3 of transformers ET and GT are supplied to the pulse rectifying circuits I i3, Ii 4 to fire the control tubes 'ECT and GOT at the proper times. Transformers H7, H3 have primary windings H9, 12% connected in the anode circuits of the auxiliary control tubes lCT, BOT, respectively. The secondaries N1, 222 of these transformers are connected in the grid circuits of the firing thyratrons EFT, ZFT which control the first pair of ignitrons iTU and ZTU, respectively.

This operation may be explained in connection with the graphs shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In Fig. 3, voltage is plotted against time, and in Fig. 4, current is plotted against time, using the same time scale as in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the curves iTU, 3TU, ETU, BTU, iTU, GTU depict the three phase line voltages (their relative magnitudes being taken with respect to each other) applied to the respective ignitrons. The shaded areas represent the length of time during which a particular ignitron is being fired. Starting from a zero time, it is assumed that the circuit-constants are such that the first ignitron is fired 30 or a of a line voltage period after zero. Curve A of Fig. 3 represents the anode voltage on control tubes ICT, ECT, which is derived between a contact id of potentiometer 39 and neutral $3 of the phase shifting network Curve B of Fig. 3 represents the anode voltage on auxiliary control tubes lCT, SOT, derived from the mid-tap connection on a secondary 3d of supply transformer T2.

Assume that two consecutive pulses from the sequence timer and frequency determining circuit 58 have been put on lines 66 to cause the ignitrons to fire the sequences ITU, ETU, 5TU, lTU, STU, STU. In prior art apparatus, STU would fire the last time at time and the welding current would decay relatively slowly, resulting in a current overlap as shown by the tail R in Fig. 2. However, in accordance with my invention, when the control tube 5ST conducts to energize the secondary 5'! of the transformer 51' to cause the firing of the ignitron 5TU, it also energizes the secondary H5 of transformer 5T which energizes the pulse rectifying circuit of the control tube MIT. The control tube 'ICT then fires when its anode voltage (curve B, Fig. 3, at approximately times 2 and /12) swings positive. When this firing of tube 'ICT occurs during the interval when ignitron lTU is rendered conductive early in a half period of the supply (at approximately instant 7 Fig. 3), it has no effect on the operation of the apparatus. However, when the firing of PCT occurs during an interval when ignitron ITU has not been fired (instant 9 1 following instant it causes ignitron l TU to fire late in its positive half period. The firing of control tube 'ICT energizes the secondary |2l of transformer H1, which in turn energizes the pulse rectifying circuit of the firing tube [FT for the ignitron ITU. Since before the instant firing tube IFT was not rendered conductive because it received no pulse from control tube ICT, firing tube IFT now conducts, as a result of a pulse received from auxiliary control tube ICT. Therefore, referring to curve B of Fig. 3, ignitron ITU is fired just before the time The current conducted by ignitron ITU flows through welding transformer primary H from right to left, and by reason of leakage flux in the welding transformer, impresses a potential across winding I 3 in a direction such as to extinguish ignitron ETU. Since ignitron ITU was fired near the end of the positive half period of the source potential, this potential soon after the firing of this ignitron becomes negative and positively forces the decay of the flux in the welding transformer. As shown in Fig. l, the welding current increases slightly after ITU is fired at time approximately 9 12, and then decreases rapidly to zero before the time I nitron ZTU then may be fired at time to start the negative half period of the low frequency current.

The firing circuit 38 of control tube ECT functions in the same manner to fire 2TU late in its corresponding half period of the supply at about time to cause the welding current to decay to zero before ITU is again fired to begin the next positive low frequency half period.

The results obtained by operation of apparatus in accordance with my invention may be readily compared by reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is an actual oscillogram taken of apparatus in which the ignitrons are fired successively to build up low frequency current. The current is allowed to decay at will before the first ignitron on the low frequency period of opposite polarity is fired. It will be noted (Fig. 5) that with such operation the last ignitron to fire in the first low frequency half period must conduct current from time A to time C. Repeated conduction for such excessive time will cause severe damage to the ignitron. Further, if low frequency half period of opposite polarity were fired before time C, a short circuit would develop in the welding transformer primary windings as has been previously explained.

Now refer to Fig. 6 which is an actual oscillogram taken of apparatus being operated in accordance with my invention. In this operation, the first ignitron to be fired in a low frequency half period is also fired late in its corresponding half period of the supply immediately following the firing (Fig. 6, time A) of the last ignitron to be fired in the particular low frequency half period. With such operation, the welding current is forced to decay to zero at time B. No ignitron conducts for an excessive time. The low frequency half period of opposite polarity could be initiated at or immediately after time B without any danger of developing a short circuit in the welding transformer primary windings.

The system of my invention provides positive protection against welding transformer short circuits caused by current overlap. Since ignitrons I TU and 2TU are connected back to back, the anode of ZTU is negative as long as ITU is conducting. One of these ignitrons is always the last to fire on a low frequency half cycle and the other is first to fire on the following low frequency half cycle, therefore there can never be current overlap between consecutive low frequency half cycles. It should be pointed out that my interlock system is entirely electronic, and, therefore, the possibility of non-operation due to sticking, open, or faulty relay operation is eliminated.

It will also be apparent that with the system of my invention, there will be substantially the same time interval between the beginning of opposite low frequency half cycles and all low frequency half cycles will be of substantially the same duration. Consequently, any tendency toward Welding transformer saturation is minimi'zed.

In situations in which the load constitutes an excessively large drain on the supply a system in accordance with my invention as specifically described above may not sufiice to absorb completely the effect of the decaying fiux in the load. In such situations it may be desirable to fire the ignitrons BTU and iTU, respectively, late in the half periods following the late firing of ignitrons ITU and 2TU, respectively. This object may be accomplished by providing additional tubes similar to the tubes lTU and STU which are supplied with potential counteracting a blocking potential from auxiliary secondaries of transformers Ill and H8, respectively. One of these additional tubes is fired at instant to cause ignitron ETU to fire late in its half period. The other is fired at a corresponding instant to cause ignitron 5TU to conduct late in its period. Apparatus including such additional auxiliary tubes is within the scope of my invention.

In certain situations the load may require pulses of only one polarity. In such systems only one group of ignitrons (lTU, 3'I'U, 5TU or ZT'U, i'IU, GTU) and their associated firing circuits are interposed between the supply Ll, L2, L3 and the load. To such systems my invention, within its broader scope, is applicable. Such a system would include the circuit 58 and only the control tubes lC'I', 3CT, SCI and 'iC'I. When applied to such systems my invention has the advantage that the third ignitron (STU, or BTU) is positively and quickly extinguished and does not conduct current during excessive intervals.

My invention, within its broader scope, is also applicable to a single phase low frequency system such as is shown in application Serial No. 87,684. In this single phase system two additional thyratrons are provided in the control circuit and connected to fire, late in the half periods of the supply, the ignitrons I! and I5 which are fired first in each group respectively. These additional thyratrons would be fired from auxiliary secondaries of transformers E93 and 2st.

Although I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications of my invention are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art' and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination n pairs of main terminals adapted to supply alternating potentials displaced in phase by a main electric discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode associated with each said pairs; a main output circuit associated with each said pairs; each said pair being connected in circuit with its associated path and its associated output circuit; at least one pair of auxiliary terminals adapted to supply a potential lagging in phase the potential supplied by one of said main pairs by an angle between and and an auxiliary discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode and an auxiliary output circuit associated with said auxiliary terminals, said auxiliary path and said auxiliary utput circuit being connected in circuit with said auxiliary terminals and said auxiliary output circuit being connected to the main output circuit associated with said one pair of main terminals to superimpose its output on the output of said last-named main circuit.

2. In combination 1:. pairs of main terminals adapted to supply alternating potentials displaced in phase by a main electric discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode associated with each said pairs; a main output circuit associated with each said pairs; each said pairs being connected in circuit with its associated path and its associated output circuit; at least one pair of auxiliary terminals adapted to supply a potential lagging in phase the potential supplied by one of said main pairs by an angle between 90 and 180; an auxiliary discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode and an auxiliary output circuit associated with said auxiliary terminals, said auxiliary path and said auxiliary output circuit being connected in circuit with said auxiliary terminals and said auxiliary output circuit being connected to the main output circuit associated with said one pair of main terminals to superimpose its output on the output of said last-named main circuit; means for firing the discharge path associated with said one pair of main terminals; and means responsive to the conductivity of said last-named path for firing the other paths in succession, said auxiliary path being the last of said succession of paths fired.

3. In combination n pairs of main terminals adapted to supply alternating potentials displaced in phase by a main electric discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode associated with each said pairs; a main output circuit associated with each said pairs; each said pairs being connected in circuit with its associated path and its associated output circuit; at least one pair of auxiliary terminals adapted to supply a potential lagging in phase the potential supplied by one of said main pairs by an angle between 90 and 180; an auxiliary discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode and an auxiliary output circuit associated with said auxiliary terminals, said auxiliary path and said auxiliary output circuit being connected in circuit with said auxiliary terminals and said auxiliary output circuit being connected to the main output circuit associated with said one pair of main terminals to superimpose its output on the output of said last-named main circuit; means for firing the discharge path associated with said one pair of main terminals; and means responsive to the conductivity of said lastnamed path for firing the other paths in successum, the output circuit of each said other paths bemg connected to fire a succeeding path and thea outputicircuit of the last in sequence of said mainipaths tofire being connected tofire said auxiliarypath.

4.:Incombination a first'main discharge path defined byan anode and a cathode, intervening maintdischarge paths each defined by an anode and: a cathode and atleast one auxiliary discharge pathdefined by an anode and a cathode; each said pathshavinga control circuit, a transformer having a primary, a control secondary and an' output secondary associated with said main and in tervening paths, the primary of each transformerabeing connected in circuit with the anode and cathode of its associated path, the control secondary associated with said first path being connected in the control circuit of an intervening path the control secondaries associated with each'intervening path except a last intervening path being connected in the control circuit of anotherintervening path and the control secondary -ofsaid last path being connected in the control circuit ofsaid--'auxiliarypath; and an auxiliary transformer-'having'a primary and at least a secondar-y associated with said auxiliary path, the primary of saidauxiliary transformer being connected-in circuitwiththe anode and cathode of-said auxiliary path and the secondary being connected'incircuit with the secondary of thigtransformer associated with said first" main pa 5; In a -systemfor convertingpower to be derived' 'from" an alternating source having a first frequencyand to be supported to a load at a second-frequency; the combination comprising incfiecta pair ofelectric discharge paths each definedby-an anode and a cathode, to be interpos'ed in'anti-parallel between said source and saidload,"each"said path. having a control electrode associated therewith; a first control circui-t coupled to the control electrode of 'a first of saiclj'paths including means to supply a potentialforrendering said first path conductive early in its positive half periods of-saidsupply; a" second 'controlcircuit coupled to .the control electrode of-said first pathand including means actu'able .irr'response to actuation of .saidfirst.

circuitifor supplying a potential 1 for rendering said firstipath conductive'late in its positive half period of said supply; a thirdcontrol circuit coupled'tothe control electrode of. the other of said" paths including means for supplyinga potentialfor rendering: said .secondpaths conductive" early in the positive half. periods of said supply; and a fourthcontrol circuit coupled to said controlelectrode. of said other path and including means actuable in response to actuationofisaid. third circuit for supplying a potential for' rendering said other path conductive late in -the'positive half periods of said supply; said second and fourth circuits .once actuated continuing' effective to render their corresponding paths conductive after said first and third circuits'*-have becomeineffective.

6.111 a system in which power is supplied from a polyphasesupply, composed of n pairsof buses from: eaclr pair ofwhich an alternating potential may.be 'derived, to a reactive load the combination zcomprising; an electric discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode connected betweeneach. said pairsof buses and said load each said path having-,a' control electrode; a control circuit coupled to eachisaid controlelectrode;

connections :for supplying a potential to saidcontrolflcircultsr-in: a predetermined succession. to.

render: thedischarge. paths to which they. are

respectively coupled conductive in said success sion at predetermined instantsi inthe positivehalf periodsof the pairs of buses respectively to which said paths are connected; an additional control circuit coupled at least to the control electrode of the first of said paths to be rendered conductive in said succession and connections,

responsive to actuation of said first-named con trol circuits for supplying a potential to said.

additional circuit to render said first-path conductive late in the positive half periods supplied by the bus pair to which it is connected,-

said additional circuit once actuated continuing efiect to render said first path conductive after said first-named control circuits have become ineffective.

7. In a system for converting power to be de-- rived from an alternating source having a first frequency and to be supplied to a load at a sec ond frequency; the combination comprising first and second electric discharge paths, each defined by an anode and a cathode, interposed in anti'- parallel between said source and said load, each said path having a control electrode associated therewith; a first control circuit coupled to the control electrode of said first path including first means for rendering said first path conductive early in its positive half periods of said supply; a second control circuit coupled to the'control electrode of said first path including second means for rendering said first path conduc tive late in its positive half period of said supply; a third control circuit coupled to the con-- means cooperative with said first and second control circuits for rendering said first means efiective during a first predetermined number of successive positive half periods of said first path and said second means only effective during a second predetermined number of positive half periods of said first path after said first number of half periods; and means cooperative with said third and fourth control circuits for rendering said third means efiective during a predetermined third number of positive half periods for said second path after said second number and said fourth means only effective during a predetermined number of positive half periods of said second path after said third number of half periods.

8. In a system for supplying power from a polyphase supply, composed of 11. pairs of buses from each pair of which an alternating poten tial may be derived, to a reactive load the combination comprising; an electric discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode connected between each said pairs of buses and said load; each said path having a control electrode; a control circuit coupled to each said control electrode; connections to each said control circuit for actuating said control circuits, each in its turn, in a predetermined succession, said connections each including means to render the discharge path to which it is coupled conductive in said succession at a predetermined instant relatively early in the positive half periods of the first pair of buses to which said path is connected; an additional control circuit coupled to the control electrode only of the first-ofsaid paths to be rendered conductive in said succession; and connections for actuating said additional circuit including means to render said first path conductive late in the positive half periods supplied by the bus pair to which it is connected.

9. In apparatus for converting power of one frequency to be derived from a pulsating supply to a substantially lower frequency, which apparatus includes a plurality of electric discharge paths, each defined by an anode and a cathode, and a main firing circuit for each said paths, said firing circuits including a first means for impressing potentials during a predetermined discrete period to fire said paths periodicially in a predetermined succession during successive pulsations of said supply for predetermined intervals equal in duration to the duration of a pulsation of said lower frequency, the novelty of an auxiliary firing circuit cooperative with said main firing circuits and including a second means for impressing a potential at least on the first of said succession of paths, to be fired as aforesaid, late in its corresponding pulsations of the supply, said last named potential being impressed immediately after termination of said discrete period whereby said first path is fired late in its pulsations of the supply immediately following the firing of the last of the succession of paths to be fired during said interval; said second means for impressing a potential having connections, to said first of said succession of paths to be fired, during each said interval, in common with said first means for impressing a potential.

10. In apparatus for converting power of one frequency to be derived from a pulsating polyphase supply to a substantially lower frequency to be supplied to a transformer having a plurality of primaries; a first group of electric discharge paths, each defined by an anode and a cathode and each connected in series with a primary winding of said transformer and a phase of said supply; a second group of electric discharge paths each defined by an anode and a cathode and each connected in anti-parallel with a corresponding electric discharge path of said first group; a main firing circuit for each of said paths, each said firing circuit including means for impressing a potential to fire its corresponding path; and means common to said potential impressing means for actuating said potential impressing means so that the potential impressing means of the first group of paths impresses a potential on each discharge path of said first group to fire said paths in a predetermined succession during successive phase pulsations of said supply for a predetermined first interval equal in duration to the duration of a pulsation of said lower frequency while the potential impressing means of the second group of paths are quiescent and after said first interval the potential impressing means of said second group impresses a potential on each discharge path of said second group in a like manner for a predetermined second interval while the firing circuits of said first group are quiescent; the novelty of an auxiliary firing circuit cooperative with and having connections in common with such of the main firing circuits of said first and second groups, each said auxiliary circuit including auxiliary means for impressing a potential to fire at least the first path of its group to fire during said interval, said auxiliary means being actuable from said common means so that a potential is impressed to fire on the first path of said first group late in the corresponding half period of its phase of said source immediately following the firing of the last path to fire during said first interval whereby the corresponding first path of said second group may be fired at the beginning of the next half period of the same phase of said supply to initiate said second pulsation of said lower frequency, without,pro-.

ducing a short circuit in the windings of said transformer and thereafter a potential is impressed to fire the first path of said second group late in the corresponding half period of its phase of said source immediately following the firing of the last path to fire during said second interval whereby the corresponding path of said first group may be fired at the beginning of the next half period of the same phase to initiate the third pulsation of said lower frequency without producing a short circuit in the winding of said transformer.

'11. Apparatus, for converting power of one frequency to be derived from a pulsating supply to a substantially lower frequency, comprising, in combination, a plurality of electric discharge paths, each defined by an anode and a cathode; a main firing circuit for each said paths, said firing circuits including means for impressing a potential on each said path in its turn to fire said paths periodically in a predetermined succession during successive pulsations of said supply for predetermined intervals equal in duration to the duration of a pulsation of said lower frequency; main pulse source means coupled to said potential impressing means for initiating the firing of a succession of paths during an interval; and auxiliary pulse source means actuable by said main pulse source means and having connections in common with at least the first of said paths to be fired during each said interval for impressing a potential to fire said first path late in its corresponding half period of the supply immediately following the firing of the last of the succession of paths to be fired during said interval.

12. Apparatus, for converting power of one frequency to be derived from a pulsating supply to a substantially lower frequency, comprising, in combination, a plurality of electric discharge paths, each defined by an anode and a cathode; a firing circuit for each said paths, said firing circuits each including means for impressing a potential on each said path in its turn to fire said paths periodically in a predetermined succession during successive pulsations of said supply for predetermined intervals equal in duration to the duration of a pulsation of said lower frequency; a main pulse source means coupled to said impressing means for initiating the firing of a succession of paths during an interval; and auxiliary pulse source means, responsive to the said potential-impressing means for one of the paths when it operates to fire said path during an interval, for impressing a potential on the firing circuit at least of the first of said paths to be fired duringeach said interval late in its corresponding half period of the supply immediately following the firing of the last of the succession of paths to be fired during said interval to fire said first path late in said last-named half period.

13. Apparatus, for converting power of one frequency to be derived from a pulsating supply to a substantially lower frequency; comprising, in combination, a first plurality of terminals; a second plurality of terminals, each of said lastnamed terminals corresponding to a terminal of said first plurality; a pair of electric discharge paths each defined by an anode and a cathode connected in anti-parallel between each of said first terminals and its corresponding second terminal; a firing circuit for each of said paths, each firing circuit including means for impressing a' potential on the corresponding path to fire said path; means common to said paths to ac tuate said paths so that said potentials are impressed to fire a selected one path of each said pair periodically in a predetermined succession during successive pulsations of said supply for predetermined intervals equal in duration to the duration of a pulsation of said lower frequency; a main pulse source means coupled to said potential impressing means for initiating the firing of a succession of said selected paths during an interval; and auxiliary pulse source means responsive to said main pulse source means and including means for supplying a potential to the firing circuit at least of the first of said paths to be fired during each interval late in its corresponding half period or" the supply immediately following the firing of the last of the succession of paths to be fired during said interval to fire said first path late in its half period of the supply.

14. Apparatus, for converting power of one frequency to be derived from a pulsating supply to a substantially lower frequency; comprising, in combination, a first plurality of terminals; a second plurality of terminals, each of said lastnamed terminals corresponding to a terminal of said first plurality; a pair of electric discharge paths each defined by an anode and a cathode connected in anti-parallel between each of said first terminals and its corresponding second terminal; a firing circuit for each of said paths; a main control circuit associated with each of said firing circuits for supplying a potential to fire the corresponding path; means for supplying said main control circuits for all said paths in synchronism with said supply so that said potentials are impressed in a selected one of each said pair so as to fire said selected paths periodically in a predetermined succession during successive pulsations of said supply for predetermined intervals equal in duration to the duration of a pulsation of said lower frequency; a main pulse source means coupled to said potential impressing means for initiating the firing of a succession of said selected paths during an interval and a control circuit associated with at least the control circuit of one of said selected paths, responsive to the firing of another of said selected paths during an interval, for supplying a potential to said one selected path during each interval, late in its corresponding half periods of the supply immediately following the firing of the last of the succession of paths to be fired during said interval to fire said one path late in its corresponding half period of said supply.

15. In combination n supply terminals adapted to be connected to a polyphase supply; n load terminals; a pair of electric discharge paths each defined by an anode and a cathode interposed in anti-parallel between each supply terminal and a corresponding load terminal; a main firing circuit for each said paths; a control circuit for supplying a potential to each firing circuit to fire the corresponding path; means for supplying said control circuits in common so that said control circuit when actuated supply potential to fire a selected path of each said pairs early in its corresponding positive half-period of said supply in succession during a predetermined interval to cause said selected paths to conduct current of one polarity during said interval and thereafter during a succeeding predetermined interval to supply potential to fire the other path of each said pairs in succession early in its corresponding positive half period of said supply to conduct current of the opposite polarity during said succeeding interval; an auxiliary control circuit coupled to the firing circuit of at least each of the paths of one of said pairs of paths, said auxiliary circuit when actuated supplying a potential to each one of said one of said pairs of paths to fire each of said one of said pairs of paths late in its corresponding half period of said supply during the interval during which it is conductive.

16. In combination, an electric discharge path defined by an anode and a cathode; terminals connected to said path and adapted to impress a periodic potential between said anode and cathode; means including connections to said path for impressing a first signal on said path through said connections during each of a first group of selected successive periods of said potential, said first signal having a phase and magnitude to render said path conductive early in said periods of said potential; and means including said connections, to impress a second signal on said path, through said connections, during each of a second group of selected successive periods of said potential at least equal in number to the number of said first group, said second signal having a phase and a magnitude such as to render said path conductive late in the periods of said potential, said second group starting one period after said first group, whereby said second signal is impressed alone during at least one of the periods of said potential following the last period of said first group during which a first signal is impressed.

1'7. Apparatus for controlling the supply of power from a polyphase source having n pairs of phase conductors to a transformer having n primaries comprising in combination: n electric discharge paths each defined by an anode and a cathode and including a control electrode; means for connecting the anode and cathode of one of said paths each in series with one of said primaries and one of said pairs of phase conductors; means adapted to be supplied from said source for impressing potentials on the control electrodes of said paths to render said paths, each in its turn, conductive in a predetermined succession early in selected respective positive half periods of said source so that current of one polarity flows through said primaries during said selected half periods; and means, adapted to be supplied from said source, for impressing poten tials on at least one of said paths to render at least said one path conductive late in certain selected positive half periods of said source, at least one of which last-named half periods follows immediately after the last of said firstnamed half periods.

18. Apparatus for controlling the supply of power from a polyphase source having n pairs of phase conductors to a, transformer having n primaries comprising in combination: n electric discharge paths each defined by an anode and a cathode and including a, control electrode; means for connecting the anode and cathode of one of said paths each in series with one of said primaries and one of said pairs of phase conductors; means adapted to be supplied from said source for impressing potentials on the control electrodes of said paths to render said paths, each in its turn, conductive in a predetermined succession early in selected respective positive half periods of' said source so that current of one polarity flows through said primaries during said selected half periods; and means, adapted to be supplied from said source, and actuable in response to said last-named potential impressing means, for impressing potentials on at least one of said paths to render said one path conductive late in positive half periods of said source immediately following the last of said selected positive half periods, at least one of which lastnamed half periods follows immediately after the last of said first-named half periods.

JOHN R. PARSONS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent: 

